Chicago Cubs rotation could decide the division race

The Chicago Cubs rotation could decide the race in the NL Central. Cole Hamels has moved on, but they still have an impressive staff.

The Chicago Cubs didn’t make changes, especially to the rotation. The Cubs have Yu Darvish and Jon Lester competing for an Opening Day start, not to mention Kyle Hendricks. Jose Quintana is on the back burner and Tyler Chatwood as slotted for a No. 5 slot. When you look at this rotation? It’s got promise. That’s for sure if it doesn’t blow up along the way.

Every starter is over 30. Lester? 36 years old. He’s the ‘old’ one. Chatwood is the ‘newbie’ of the bunch. He’s only 30. The Cincinnati Reds bolstered their lineup by adding Nicholas Castellanos and Mike Moustakas for starters.

Not young, but 27 and 31, respectively. If we can shut the Reds and the entire division down? We’re in good shape. But that’s a question that’s yet to be answered.

Adbert Alzolay would be the obvious one. But he has a 10.80 ERA in eight innings of work.  Colin Rea? 7.20 in five innings. There are slim pickings in this rotation. It’s essential; they need to stay healthy. If they don’t? They’ll implode, and we don’t want that.

If the Cubs held tight, the Reds went all-out. They signed Moustakas, Castellanos and Shogo Akiyama. John Watson wrote that he did like the Wade Miley signing. I can’t agree with that. First, he came from the Houston Astros. That’s part of my problem. Second, they signed them to a two-year, $15 million deal, which has a club option that could be more than $23 million. #BangTheDrum

The thing is they need to stay healthy on the Cubs pitching side. And if Steven Souza Jr. stays on par, and if Ian Miller can be the 26th man to be reckoned with? The Cubs have the best lineup, at least in the Central. Again, if they stay healthy.